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HOI PHOON in 2007. The rounded cabin front is visible just aft of the mast, with a  high foreha…
Hoi Phoon
HOI PHOON in 2007. The rounded cabin front is visible just aft of the mast, with a  high foreha…
HOI PHOON in 2007. The rounded cabin front is visible just aft of the mast, with a high forehatch a feature on the foredeck.
Private Collection

Hoi Phoon

Vessel numberHV000141
Vessel Registration NumberJB560N
Sail NumberMH 60
Date1940
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 9.75 m x 8.53 m x 3.2 m x 1.68 m (32 ft x 28 ft x 10.5 ft x 5.5 ft)
DescriptionHOI PHOON was built by CAM Fisher and Sons for Alva Likely, who also designed the yacht himself. It was the only design he ever did, and the lines were taken from a carved half-model. The yacht was launched in 1940, and it became well known around Middle Harbour NSW.

Eventually the yacht passed into the hands of Alva's son Frank Likely, who was also a well known sailor and operated a boatshed in Sailor's Bay at Northbridge on Middle Harbour.

The craft is very strongly built and a fine example of the high standards set by Billy Fisher and his sons. The Huon pine planking is fastened to spotted gum frames, supported by large grown tea tree floors. An interesting detail is that the planking butts all land on frames; there are no butt blocks in the hull at all. The rounded cabin front is typical of the period and often featured on many Sydney Amateur Sailing Club yachts. It is 460mm (18 in) high and the sides and front are steamed right around in one piece, a work of art in itself.

HOI PHOON is a Bermudan rigged ketch and remains in good condition. It is an excellent example of a small but robust sea going yacht from the late 1930s. The name HOI PHOON means 'gentle breeze' or 'sea breeze' and is believed to have come from the time Alva spent on tramp steamers in south-east Asian waters in the 1930s.






SignificanceHOI PHOON is a wooden yacht built in NSW in 1940. It is a significant example of a yacht built by Billy Fisher at his La Perouse boat yard in NSW.
MALUKA believed to be on the upper reaches of the Hawkesbury River in the 1930s.
CAM Fisher and Sons
1932
BERRIMA  in 2009 at Wharf 7 Darling Harbour NSW.
CAM Fisher and Sons
1955
HOANA under sail on Sydney Harbour early in its racing life.
J Hayes & Sons
1925
ACROSPIRE III in 2012
J Hayes & Sons
1923
FREYA on the Solent in the Admirals Cup
Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd
1963
JANAWAY  in 2011
Sid Perry
1938
RAAF 011-118
Slazengers Ltd
1945
MAYA on Sydney Harbour sailing with SASC
Alfred Cuthbertson
1929
AOMA around 1900 coming past Neilson Park on Sydney Harbour in a good nor easter.
Logan Bros
1899
ANGLESEA at the Geelong Festival 2013
Jas Edwards & Sons
1913
QUESTING on its trial sail after being restored by Sydney Wooden Boats in 2015/16
Andrew Riddell
1949